Open Letter To State Senator Charles Copeland
Dear Sir,
I watched your “open government” presentation with interest. I commend you for willingness to take on this important issue and urge you to take a step beyond holding well meaning but ultimately pointless press conferences and advance the cause of “open government” in a much more practical and meaningful way.
Specifically, I would like to see you demonstrate your commitment to open government by making public the content and circumstances of your March 5th early AM meeting with Harris McDowell, Randall Speck and other unknown parties.
As an advocate for open government, I’m sure you see the value in getting the ad hoc strategy meeting of the Senate Energy Committee meeting on the public record. Therefore I am asking for the following items, which you no doubt agree, would further the cause of open government in very immediate ways:
1) Attendance list of the ad hoc Senate Energy Committee Breakfast Strategy Meeting.
2) Agenda, Minutes and/or Notes Related to the Meeting
3) Summary of findings of the ad hoc committee.
While we know from Karen Peterson’s public accounts of the outcome of the meeting, the decision was made to put the PSC “on trial” in the Senate “hearing” later in the day, the attendees and the agenda are still unknown and create the very real impression that our government is making important decision in secret which is no doubt an anathema to an open government advocate like yourself.
Therefore, your immediate attention to this will be much appreciated. Furthermore, your willingness to undo the harm that these closed door, ad hoc strategy meetings create will underscore your desire for an open and accountable government.
Sincerely
Jason Scott
Exactly!
You are to be commended, Sir.
Thank you, but I think your post really disects the craven poltical gamesmanship Burris and Copeland are up to with all of this.
As Sagacious sums up in the comments below, “They’re trying to run against the small group of dinosaurs in the Senate and to paint all D’s with that brush. Good politics, bad public policy.
BTW – I put the odds that Copeland will “put up” rather than “shut up” at 750 to 1
Any takers?
Get your Democrats to pass the bills and it’s policy.
And as I said to Steve below, “all Democrats” painted themselves with that brush when they voted for the Senate rules when only ONE could have changed the outcome.
“While we know from Karen Peterson’s public accounts of the outcome of the meeting, the decision was made to put the PSC “on trial” in the Senate “hearing” later in the day”
So McDowell hired the lawyer first and then made the decision, on the day of the hearing, to use the lawyer? Am I getting this right?
Stunt.
When did your boy Charlie sign onto the strategy?
Also – who else was in the closed door, short notice strategy meeting?
FSP…McDowell is still working out the whole story in his head. He seems to release a different version with each telling. Perhaps he’s waiting for someone to tell him which one sounds better.
Good look getting an answer.
I can’t Rep. Hudson to respond to my e-mail & phone call message asking what she based her claim on that 70% of the people who live in manufactured housing own a second home.
I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t want to provide the source for her claim.
“the closed door, short notice strategy meeting”
You mean the open restaurant breakfast they ate on the way to Dover?
“I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t want to provide the source for her claim.”
I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t respond to you. Wait, yes I can.
So much for “open government” eh Dave? You should change your boys title to “Advocate for Open Government When It Suits My Purposes”
It would be tough to fit in a press release, but it would be much more honest.
Where was the governing in this situation, J?
If you keep saying it over and over, maybe someone will believe you.
Actually, Sen. Copeland told to Allan Loudell of WDEL that he was aware of the hiring of the D.C. lawyer a week before the hearing:
http://tommywonk.blogspot.com/2008/03/ambushing-public-service-commission.html
Somehow, no one bothered to tell PSC Chair Arnetta McRae in advance she was going to be interrogated by such high-priced legal talent.
Sen. Copeland just happened to be in the room when leadership decided to hold up wind power, just happened to know when the D.C. lawyer was hired, just happened to have breakfast with the guy before the hearing when the PSC is ambushed…
“I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t respond to you. Wait, yes I can.”
Bullshit. All she has to do is send an e-mail naming her source. No harm there.
I’m beginning to wonder if the likely explanation is that the source has no credibility…if it exist at all.
Tom,
Repeat after me: “Republicans can do no wrong. Republicans’ poo smells like roses. God loves Republicans.”
Charlie Copeland is descended from royalty, don’tcha know? Therefore, Dave’s not lying when he continues to come to his defense in this whole mess.
Excellent letter, Jason! Have you actually sent it to Copeland? (You should and post the response) This may be worth a LTE at the WNJ (but may be too long).
“I’m beginning to wonder if the likely explanation is that the source has no credibility…if it exist at all.”
Actually, it’s the person requesting the information that has the credibility problem.
Mike — what a stupid thing to say the day the News-Journal prints a letter I signed that was very critical of Republicans. Really, really stupid.
Cassandra – I sent it to Copeland and am not holding my breath while I wait for a response.
Tom – That is Copeland-Style open government. All the backroom stuff is just a coincidence.
“Nothing to see here folks! Now join me at my press conference where I will talk about my sincere love of open goverment. “
“Sen. Copeland just happened to be in the room when leadership decided to hold up wind power, just happened to know when the D.C. lawyer was hired, just happened to have breakfast with the guy before the hearing when the PSC is ambushed…”
And yet he made none of those decisions. Adams, DeLuca and McDowell did.
Don’t let that enormous fact keep you from your attacks, though.
FSP, do you ever get your hands dirty when you’re shoveling Copeland poo?
“Actually, it’s the person requesting the information that has the credibility problem.”
Bullshit.
That’s what you say because you don’t want to answer the questions I pose to you & your GOP chums. It’s also the reason why you banned me from posting on your site.
But on to something truly important:
Speaking of questions, did Rep. Dan Short say he will pen some of these token health coverage bills yesterday only because it will spun as though he cares about poor people and struggling people because he knows that he will get a DEM opponent this year as a DIRECT result of his disgusting statements about the people who live in manufactured housing in his own district?
http://delawarewatch.blogspot.com/2008/02/id-call-it-grand-slam-chris-bullock.html
Dan Short doesn’t sit on any committee principally concerned w/ health care. So why this SUDDEN concern to appear compassionate by proffering this token and empty legislation?
It’s more smoke & mirros from the GOP–this time to save Dan Short’s hide because the people in his district won’t abide the knowledge that he considers old ladies who live in manufactured housing as threats.
Thank you for proving once again your lack of credibility. Dan Short has been in the insurance industry for many years, and has been working on this legislation since the day he was sworn in a year ago.
Dan Short doesn’t need his hide saved. He’ll get at least 70% of the vote in his district, if he even has an opponent.
“That’s what you say because you don’t want to answer the questions I pose to you & your GOP chums.”
This, from the guy who refused to respond to R Smitty and some other anon who criticized him.
I banned you from my site because you’re carrying out an unhealthy, vengeful jihad against me, the same way that you’ve done to many others, and because no one cares what you think.
“Dan Short has been in the insurance industry for many years,”
Oh, that’s cool. He’s sponsoring legislation that will benefit his income.
Now there’s good govt for you.
“Dan Short has been in the insurance industry for many years,”
Oh, that’s cool. He’s sponsoring legislation that will benefit his income.
Now there’s good govt for you. Thanks for the tip. Ir’s quite useful.
“This, from the guy who refused to respond to R Smitty and some other anon who criticized him.”
I have no idea what you are talking about.
“I banned you from my site because you’re carrying out an unhealthy, vengeful jihad against me, the same way that you’ve done to many others,”
Dave, I challenge what I think to be your bullshit and because YOU made it personal against me by your libels in calling me a socialist. If you didn’t want it on a personal level, then don’t throw the 1st punch. That’s what the “many others” experienced as well: they could dish it out but not take it.
I’m perfectly content to keep it at the level of issues just like Steve Newton and I have been doing for some time now.
“and because no one cares what you think”
You care, Dave. That’s why your minions, Smitty etc., attack me because YOU care. Besides, you know some of the changes I have brought about in DE politics and the DE media. So let’s not posture and talk BS now.
“Besides, you know some of the changes I have brought about in DE politics and the DE media.”
I will let that statement stand for all eternity on its own. After I clean my lunch off of my computer.
“Oh, that’s cool. He’s sponsoring legislation that will benefit his income.”
That’s right. Anyone who spends years in an industry couldn’t possibly be an expert on the subject. He’s GOT to be in it for the money.
Dana, why do you hate business owners?
Oh for the love of ChristGarrett! Are you two arguing again?!
Dave, just be out with it. Dan Short introduced this specifically to piss off Hero and give him something else to bitch about and blame on you…and indirectly, me, as I am one of your minions.
hoohoohahhah…I am an evil spirit minion…hoohoohahhah…I will spew Republicanism all over ChristGarrett…hoohoohahhah
“Dana, why do you hate business owners?”
Why do hate people w/o health insurance?
Why do you back vacuous health care legislation that will only result in minimal coverage with high copays & high deductibles but will benefit health insurance companies and health insurance agents?
_____________
Have you called for Rep. Nancy Wagner to be investigated by the Ethics Committee yet?
“I am an evil spirit minion”
Actually, you are a common bore.
“and because no one cares what you think”
*
Glad to pile on here. Dana has no decent internal controls over what is fact and what is fiction stewing in that egg-head of his. His ego is blown out of proportion to his talents and his relentless need to be top-dog has driven that bus right over a cliff. I, for one, do not care what he thinks.
Dana, grow some integrity and get back to me.
Yeah, with 20 other people, Dave. Put that shit headlined on your site with just YOUR name and then we’ll talk. Until then, you are just what I’ve called you out on.
Mike Matthews was w/ me at the KHN event, Nancy, at the park by the DE River when you showed up w/ leaflets filled w/ lies about Charles Potter. I have photos of you at the event.
The claims on the paper you were passing out were so outrageous that the originators of the lie had to stop passing them out because Potter’s lawyer said the claims were libelous.
But you passed them out personally. For the sake of Harris McDowell
You are the liar.
wait. burris calles Dana a socialist? I thought that was Tyler. Boy, everybody beats up on Dana.
As I said, everything you write about me is a lie, Dana. I am glad to see that you are such a Potter fan, though. That says a lot about you.
There is much that you probaby don’t know about Potter but you’d rather trash me than actually figure out what a slime ball he and Williams are and what harm they do, regularly, in the black community they claim to represent.
I have never done a thing ‘for McDowell’. My acts were always patently for getting rid of Potter. He is a high order SOB with the moral bearing of a thug. Nice company you keep.
As for the flyer, I stand by most of what was in it. Outside of the claim that Potter’s mortgage business was shilling predatory loans (a statement I couldn’t verify) it is all the sad, sorry truth.
As for the photos, Dana. Shove your halluncinatory threats up your ass, dude.
You are below pity. Just simply a vile ego-gone-MAD.
So you have pictures of me passing out flyers. You are a disgusting fuck. Really.
ChristDana, I thought you swore to ignore me. Yet, you don’t. Not having that last word just nags at you, doesn’t it?
-Evil minion/common bore.
P.S.: You may want to watch how high up you stick your nose into the air…it’ll begin to bleed.
So McDowell hired the lawyer first and then made the decision, on the day of the hearing, to use the lawyer? Am I getting this right?
Stunt.
*
Point of orde: McDowell is definately desparate to put out the fire he started when he led the call to deregulate and then screwed up the HB6 with the lofty premise that no one would come knocking with a decent proposal.
Enter Willett Kempton and he and his students’ years of off-shore wind-filled studies that were begging for a real-time investment to bear them out.
BWW beat out NRG and Connective(PEPCO) fair and square and the PSC is untouchable even after Speck tried his best.
A very tidy summary Nancy.